Heliconia Valley

Heliconia chartacea 'Sexy Pink'
Location: Heliconia Valley, Zone D.

Heliconia 'Lobster's claw'

The Heliconia variety 'Sexy Pink' is a unique and eye catching species to plant.  It is very easy to propagate and so are many others in the species.  It is to obtain the rare variety that becomes the main challenge.  The heliconia collection at the Heliconia Valley with its initial collection of about a dozen species have become somewhat an 'open nursery' acting as mother plants to produce rhizomes for propagation purposes.  Once removed these shoots can be planted elsewhere in the park.  Some heliconia species love full sun while others prefer filtered or dappled light.  Heliconias are exotic plants, tropical and colourful and a key element in the Kambatik garden.

Heliconia psittacorum

Heliconia Valley, Zone D

Heliconia latispatha

Heliconia latispatha at the Heliconia Valley
Zone D

Heliconia Valley - some views

Section of Heliconia Valley
Location : Between Zone C and D

A section of Heliconia Valley
Taken on 1 Feb'15

Planting the 'Golden Torch' in beds

Heliconia 'Golden Torch' planted in beds
Location : Heliconia Valley, Zone D

Heliconias belong to the Banana family-
Musaceae

 Try planting the Heliconia 'Golden Torch' in beds.  The pleasure is when they start to produce their colourful bracts.  Once established they will provide unlimited supply for daily cut flowers.  They add striking yellow colour to the landscape everyday.  It is necessary to remove or cut the aerial shoots that have flowered to encourage new shoots.  This gardening practice will result in healthy looking and clean beds.  The 'Golden Torch' have vigorous rhizomes and is easily propagated by division.  They love semi-shade or partial sun conditions.  Many birds are attracted to its inflorescences especially the sunbirds and spiderhunters.  To see how I use the Heliconia 'Golden Torch' in floral art Kambatik style , follow this link ...>>>http://dailycutflowers.blogspot.com/2009/06/hail-to-heliconias.html

Heliconias when grown in beds provide flowering shoots daily througout the year.
Location : Heliconia Valley, Zone D

In Plain Sight - Provinsi Lady Palm (Part 5)

Provinsi Lady Palm, view looking west

Slender-stemmed palm -
Rhapis excelsa

 The Provinsi Lady Palm is named after the slender-stemmed palm with thick clustering habit.  The Rhapis excelsa grows naturally as an undergrowth palm but is now a popular palm for gardens and parks.  Its leaves are very useful for floral art.  Many nurseries sell them in big pots as ornamentals.  Today there are dwarf varieties of the Lady Palm. As part of the Kambatik garden concept it is advisable to plant the Lady Palm with heliconias.  Having them within arm's length and readily available in our garden will certainly assist us in creative floral art. Below are more pictures of the provinsi Lady Palm....

The heart of Heliconia Valley is located at Provinsi Lady Palm
Location : Zone C, looking north

View looking south

View looking south
Location : Zone D

View looking south

Spiderhunter pollinating the Sexy Pink

Clumps of Heliconia chartacea 'Sexy Pink' planted at Heliconia Valley

 The many clumps of Heliconia chartacea 'Sexy Pink' are doing well at the Heliconia Valley area at Zone D.  Often times the Little Spiderhunter would visit the inflorescences to hunt for nectar and small insects especially tiny ants that are attracted by the sweet nectar.  When the Spiderhunter pushes its beak into the flower to look for nectar it is also doing another very important function i.e. pollinating.  The pendulous inflorescence have very colourful pink bracts which are basically false flowers.

Little Spiderhunter thrushes its beak into the flower to look for nectar.

Steps closer to nature

Steps at Heliconia Valley area, separating  Zone C and D

 There is something energizing about walking the steps of nature.  To be close to the earth and to stand barefooted on the jungle footpath.  The earthing connection is immediately felt.  Every step you make you feel alive and jumpy.  Then you feel the awe and respect you forget to give Mother Nature.

Location: Heliconia Valley, between Zone C and D

 At Botanic Island One there are a series of these simple earthen steps that are built for the convenience of workers and visitors.  They lead to rest areas, benches, stools or cut down logs for much needed respite and relaxation.  I find abundant pleasure and deep-felt satisfaction sweeping these steps of fallen leaves and jungle litter.  The rustling sound is instant therapy and its cracking noise quietened the chaos of the outside world.   For once you are focussed with the love of nature and peace creeps in your tired mind. ...So, go and find steps closer to nature!

Botanic Island One steps, looking south

Botanic island one, steps looking west

Botanic Island One, steps looking west

Botanic Island One, steps looking south

Heliconia Valley and Footpath

Heliconia chartacea 'Sexy Pink', Heliconia Valley walk

Here's some collection of heliconias at the Park.  I have planned a special area to exhibit the heliconias called the Heliconia Valley.  Heliconias are useful as cut flowers, besides being attractive to the birds.  They are an ideal plant for the Kambatik garden (Malaysian garden) because they thrive in our tropical climate.  furthermore they require minimum maintenance.
Checkout how I use them as cut flowers in the Kambatik-style floral arrangement here...>>>

Heliconia caribaea

H. rostrata

H. latispatha

Botanic Island One, Mid-hill footpath

Botanic Island One, Mid-hill footpath

Heliconia 'Golden Torch'

Heliconia 'Lobster Claw'

Heliconia pssitacorum (Parrot flower)

Heliconia pssitacorum (Parrot flower)

Heliconia pssitacorum (Parrot flower)

Heliconia pssitacorum (Parrot flower)

Heliconia pssitacorum (Parrot flower)